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Friday, June 21, 2013

Sepia Saturday: Ride 'em

Sepia Saturday challenges bloggers to
share family history through old photographs.

This week’s Sepia Saturday photo prompt is a man on
horseback. Some of my oldest photos are
of some boys on horseback.

This photo was in a box of pictures that came to me
through either my grandmother, Lucille Rucker Davis, or my great-aunt Violetta Davis Ryan. While I don’t know the boys,
the one on the right looks much like my maternal grandfather Orvin Owen Davis. If the boy looks to be 11 or 12, that dates
the photo about 1912 or 13.

These next two photos came to me through the Slade side of the
family, so possibly one of the boys is my paternal grandfather Fred Slade; then the other might be one of his brothers. If these are Slade boys, the date of the
photos is around 1910.

My great grandfather Stephen Slade farmed in Princess Anne
County, today around Kempsville in Virginia Beach. If I’m correct, then the photo gives me my
first glimpse at parts of the buildings on the old farm.

The last two photos that I THINK could be my paternal grandfather require more study because we don't have that many photos of him except as a grandfather. I wish I had seen these photos while my dad was still living so I could ask him.

How fortunate you are Wendy to have these images in your album. After posting the prompt I realised I didn't have anything, apart from one of a great uncle, which I've already used. I really must think ahead; no point in being admin if I can't take advantage. These are gteat photos aren't they? They don't seem to be bothering with a saddle, but then I know nothing of horses and riding.

I was distracted by this name Orvin, attached to a very Welsh Owen Davis. It did not ring true. I then found that its almost impossible to find anyone with the first name Orwin, unless they had some Swiss connection perhaps. So can you throw some light on how your grandfather acquired this name?

Swiss? Really? OK, well, I don't know where "Orvin" came from. It's the first in the family. But his parents Walter and Mary Frances were "modern," I suppose, because they did not repeat any family names like the previous generation did, with the exception of Orvin's older brother Millard Mitchell whose middle name honored Walter's father. My Davis research goes back most likely to Wales, you're right.

I notice that they are riding bareback. I really like it when the old photos also have things of interest in the background, like the wagon and crudely built sheds. Although these are better than some of the photos I have where it appears the walls are made of sticks bound together.

In my day it was rare for boys in the village to have a horse to ride. My one chance came to ride a horse owned by a local girl. I got on, she hit it with a whip - horse and I parted company. I haven't been on a horse since!

Wendy, you have wonderful Sepia photos. A real treasure, as they are so old. Are you thinking of making a collection behind glass for display? I think I will do with some of mine. they have to be well protected on acid free board and behind glass.

You know, I hadn't really thought about displaying them. Some of my old photos are already framed and I do have a few on display, but there are so many more that I would need my own museum. But you're making me think!

That first photo reminds me of a horse show I went to see recently with my folk in Sydney called Cavalia. It was amazing seeing what they could do - young women standing on the backs of paired horses galloping at break-neck speed across the front of the amphitheatre. Thrilling stuff.

That second photo is one LARGE horse! I have some very old photos too...and I have no idea who is pictured....which has forced me to write ont he backs of all my photos. My 3 children all look alike in their baby photos...they even ask, "was that me?"

That first shot is wonderful. It tells a story even if it's not reality. I can easily see the country boy and the city boy going horseback riding together. Characters from an old 1930s movie during the Depression.

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About Me

My name is Wendy. About twenty years ago, I helped my mother research the Jolletts. Since retiring from teaching, I have expanded my research which I share here. When I’m not looking for my own family, I index for FamilySearch and the Greene County Historical Society.
Welcome to Jollett Etc. Please leave a comment to let me know you were here. If you have more information or believe we are related, EMAIL ME at wendymath at cox dot net